Sports ball throwing and pitching training device

ABSTRACT

A machine designed to aid as a training device to correct deficiencies for throwing and/or hitting a variety of sports balls. The machine is also designed to aid in physical therapy of shoulder related injuries. The flexible rope handle allows the apparatus to self correct because of centripetal acceleration of the circular motion. The flexible rope handle can be used alone by inserting your hand through it or by attaching a wide variety of sports ball or handles. The flexible rope handle will automatically tighten to your hand when in use to avoid the apparatus from flying off. A padded cylinder body to eliminate injury, A variable length rope handle and a variable length cylinder body allowing for multiple uses by a wide variety of users, and an end mounted weight, which can be varied based on sport and individual need.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of Ser. No. 60/569,720, filed on Mar. 11, 2004,and is also based on provisional application Ser. No. 60/569720, filedon Mar. 11, 2004.

A machine designed to aid as a training device to correct deficienciesfor throwing and/or hitting a variety of sports balls. The machine isalso designed to aid in physical therapy of shoulder related injuries.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of sports and morespecifically to a machine designed to aid as a training device tocorrect deficiencies for throwing and/or hitting a variety of sportsballs. The machine is also designed to aid in physical therapy ofshoulder related injuries.

Sports training for pitching, throwing and hitting has evolved over theyears from individual training to highly specialized coaches. The theoryof sports training is to build correct muscle memory during training andthis will translate into correct muscle movement during an athleticevent and produce the desired result. Training incorrectly will buildincorrect muscle memory and will result in less than desired resultsduring an athletic event. Millions of dollars are spent annually, byathletes, to their specialized coaches for their expertise to improvethrough training, correct muscle memory.

Sports training for pitching, throwing and hitting consists ofrepetitive cycles of pitching, throwing and hitting. Training must beobserved and corrected as needed to insure that the correct musclememory is being created. Training sessions need to be long to insurethat muscle memory is being developed by consistency, which can only bedeveloped by a large number of correctly done repetitions.

The sports throwing training device as depicted in U.S. Pat. No.6,024,660 is a rigid not flexible and not self correcting, trainingdevice. This device is more directly involved with the wrist snap motionthan with the development of a throwing plane.

Very few training devices exist to aid in the development of correctmuscle memory. Most existing training devices are geared toward buildingmuscle mass. No current training devices are self correcting forcing thebuilding of correct muscle memory. Some existing devices are large,heavy and bulky and don't lend themselves to portability. Most existingtraining devices require an extensive amount of time to train becauserapid repetitive motion is not allowed. A coach is necessary to insureproper and correct muscle memory is being built. Most existingtechnologies can not be performed without the aid of one or moreadditional individuals which requires an individual to schedule theirtraining around other peoples schedules.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the invention is a self correcting trainingapparatus for throwing a variety of sports balls to develop a perfectpitching or throwing plane.

Another object of the invention is a training apparatus that is selfcorrecting that can eliminate bad pitching or throwing habits learnedover years of practice.

Another object of the invention is a training apparatus that is perfectfor beginners because it will not allow bad habits to form because itforces the user into a correct throwing and pitching plane.

A further object of the invention is it develops correct muscle memoryof the ball throwing motion.

Yet another object of the invention is it develops correct swingingmuscle memory of a struck ball as in tennis, volleyball, etc.

Still yet another object of the invention is that it develops a strongwrist snap to increase ball speed.

Another object of the invention is it increases ball pitching speed byperfecting the pitching plane.

Another object of the invention is it decreases training time from hoursto minutes by allowing a pitcher to replicate up to 100 pitches perminute by continuing the pitching circular motion and not having to stopbetween pitches.

A further object of the invention is that it requires no retrieval ofthe ball because it remains attached to your hand.

Yet another object of the invention is that a variety of balls orhandles can be attached to allow the user to grip the exact same ball orhandle that is used in their particular sport.

Still yet another benefit of the invention is that no catcher isnecessary for a pitcher to warm up.

Another object of the invention is that a relief pitcher can warm up ina few minutes and be ready to enter a game.

Another object of the invention is that the apparatus is perfect forgeneral arm warm up prior to practice or game.

A further object of the invention is that the apparatus is beneficialfor conditioning of the arm and shoulder.

Yet another object of the invention is that the apparatus is beneficialfor rehabilitation and conditioning of the shoulder because it forcesthe shoulder movement into the correct circular motion that reduces thestress on the joint and increases flexibility.

Still yet another object of the invention is that the apparatus isbeneficial for physical therapy of shoulder related injuries.

Other objectives, benefits and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration andexample, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there isdisclosed a machine designed to aid as a training device to teachcorrect mechanics and to correct deficiencies for throwing and/orhitting a variety of sports balls. The machine is also designed to aidin physical therapy of shoulder related injuries. Comprising: Theflexible rope handle allows the apparatus to self correct because ofcentripetal acceleration of the circular motion, The flexible ropehandle can be used alone by inserting your hand through it or byattaching a wide variety of sports ball or handles, The flexible ropehandle will automatically tighten to your hand when in use to avoid theapparatus from flying off, A padded cylinder body to eliminate injury, Avariable length rope handle and a variable length cylinder body allowingfor multiple uses by a wide variety of users, and an end mounted weight,which can be varied based on sport and individual need.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and includeexemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in variousforms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects ofthe invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate anunderstanding of the invention.

FIG. <1> is a plan view of the invention.

FIG. <2> is an exploded view of the invention.

FIG. <3> is a perspective view of the invention in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein.It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may beembodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed hereinare not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for theclaims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the artto employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailedsystem, structure or manner.

In accordance with the present invention, FIG. 1 shows a plan view ofthe sports ball throwing training device, which due to its design of aunique flexible rope handle [10] and end mounted weight [15] correctlyself aligns the pitching or throwing arm plane resulting in correctthrowing mechanics, correct muscle memory and increased ball speed. FIG.2 shows a exploded view to better depict the internal mechanism of thedevise.

The sports ball throwing training device is comprised of an end mountedweight [15] secured in a recessed plastic end piece [14]. The endmounted weight [15] is held in place by the flexible rope handle [10]which passes through the recessed end piece [14]. The recessed plasticend piece [14] and the end mounted weight [15] are protected fromstriking the user by a padded foam cylinder [12] whose length can bevaried based on sport and age/size of user. A plastic alignment cap [16]is inserted into the opposite end of the foam cylinder [12] to insurethat the flexible rope handle [10] remains in alignment between the endmounted weight [14] and the sports ball or handle [11]. The foamcylinder [12] is made more attractive with two decorative soft plasticend caps [13] and by adding decals. Sound emitting devices and lightscan be added to the outside or imbedded into the foam cylinder [12] foraudible or visual feedback during use. Speed sensors and be added to thefoam cylinder [12] to keep track of the maximum or average arm speedduring a training session.

The operation of sports ball throwing training device may be understoodupon reference to FIG. 3 which shows the device in use. The hand isinserted through the rope handle [10] and the ball or handle is grippedin the same manner as during a sporting event. As the machine is rotatedin a circular motion the flexible rope handle [10] is automaticallytightened to the hand insuring that the device will not come off. Therotation of the device pulls the arm, by centripetal acceleration of theend mounted weight [15], to the maximum radial position of the arm,which has been found to be the optimum pitching and throwing plane. Thedevice may be rotated in an overhand motion to simulate the arm actionof sports such as baseball, tennis and volleyball and it may be rotatedin an underhand motion to simulate the arm action of softball pitchers.The training device self corrects to the optimum rotation plane ineither direction.

The sports ball throwing training device allows a user to train withoutsupervision to develop correct throwing mechanics in a greatly reducedtime frame by allowing up to 100 simulated correct throws in one minutestime. This machine is perfect for beginners to learn the correctthrowing mechanics and to build correct muscle memory from the start andto not develop bad habits. Individuals who have not had proper trainingand have developed sever deficiencies in proper mechanics can beretrained with this device. Old bad habits can be replaced with correctthrowing mechanics and the incorrect muscle memory can be relearned.This machine is also perfect for advanced students of the game becauseimperfections in the throwing plane can be eliminated and replaced withthe perfect plane, which results in better accuracy and greater speed.

Improper throwing mechanics increase stress to the body, which canresult in minor to severe injury and loss of playing time. Sportsrelated throwing injuries can be reduced or eliminated by learningproper throwing mechanics. This sports ball throwing training deviceimproves and corrects proper throwing mechanics and thereby reduces therisk of injury.

The sports ball throwing training device is not limited to the field ofsports training. Subsequently the sports ball throwing training deviceis being tested and evaluated as a physical therapy tool for shoulderrelated injuries. Use of this device is showing promise by reducingstress and increasing flexibility and endurance of the shoulders balland socket joint and aiding to the recovery of shoulder relatedinjuries.

While the invention has been described in connection with a preferredembodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention tothe particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended tocover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may beincluded within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by theappended claims.

1. A machine designed to aid as a training device to correctdeficiencies for throwing and/or hitting a variety of sports balls. Themachine is also designed to aid in physical therapy of shoulder relatedinjuries, comprising: the flexible rope handle allows the apparatus toself correct because of centripetal acceleration of the circular motion;the flexible rope handle can be used alone by inserting your handthrough it or by attaching a wide variety of sports ball or handles; theflexible rope handle will automatically tighten to your hand when in useto avoid the apparatus from flying off; a padded cylinder body toeliminate injury; a variable length rope handle and a variable lengthcylinder body allowing for multiple uses by a wide variety of users; andan end mounted weight, which can be varied based on sport and individualneed..
 2. A machine designed to teach correct pitching and throwingmechanics to develop a perfect pitching and throwing plane that willincrease ball speed and accuracy.
 3. A machine designed to build correctmuscle memory through repetitions of correct arm mechanics.